Section 23 PresenceofParties

• Library: Juvenile Law 2011

As with abuse and neglect hearings, there are limitations on the court’s ability to proceed in status offense and delinquency cases if certain parties are not present. See Rule 128. The general rule is that the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents, guardian, or custodian have the right to be present at all hearings. Rule 128.01.

In some instances, the juvenile must be present in the courtroom during the adjudicatory hearing, unless presence is waived by counsel, regardless of whether the court feels that it is in the child’s best interest. Rule 128.01.a and .b. The child must be...